Hey everyone I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Thank you for your reviews. Thank you for your ideas. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 19: Hogsmeade
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"Severus, the students are staring." Minerva McGonagall whispered to the Potions Master seated to her left.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts Severus placed his trademark scowl on his face, obsidian eyes sweeping the hall glaring down any student that was still staring. Berating himself for not staying focused he glared down at his half eaten plate. He had been thinking again about that night a few days ago when Hermione had called him daddy.
Hermione recovered quickly bouncing back just in time for the other students to return for the second term. Of course having been really sick she hadn't remembered calling Severus daddy but she had noticed the man's strange behavior ever since she woke up after the fever was broken.
Lifting his eyes from the plate Severus glanced over at the Gryffindor table easily spotting the bushy haired girl seated among her friends. Seeing her somewhat happy caused him to feel a long forgotten feeling act up. He had reasoned just the other night that this feeling was the fact that his heart was melting for this spunky girl. He hated to admit it but he cared for this Hermione Granger. After all he did spend his entire break taking care of the now orphaned girl.
Without having to look Severus knew he was being watched by the headmaster and he could just see the infernal twinkling in the ancient blue eyes. I'm getting soft he thought taking a prolonged sip from his goblet.
"May I have your attention please?" Professor Dumbledore said rising from his sear.
Severus turned his attention to the headmaster as the hall quieted and all eyes were on the head table.
Dumbledore smiled down upon the sea of faces. "I would like to welcome all of you back to Hogwarts and hope you had a good holiday?" There was a loud response from the students. "Now before we all retire to our comfortable beds I would like to announce that our next Hogsmeade trip will take place this coming Saturday."
At this announcement the hall was filled with whoops of joy and excitement. "Off to bed with you." Dumbledore said making a shooing motion with his hands.
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"I can't wait!" Ron exclaimed as the three made their way through the crowd towards the dorms.
Hermione just rolled her eyes. "Honestly Ron you just got back from Christmas. Didn't you get enough?"
"You can't be serious 'Mione." Harry responded. "There's no such thing as enough."
"I don't know how I put up with you two." Hermione sighed shaking her head.
Ron smirked throwing an arm around her shoulder. "It's because you love us 'Mione."
After entering the tower the three went to their normal seating by the fire and sat down, Ron and Harry to play wizard's chess and Hermione to read a book.
"How was the rest of your break?" Ron asked after a few minutes of silence which was only interrupted by the sound of chessmen being smashed or the turning of a page.
Looking up Hermione shrugged. "It was alright." She replied turning yet another page in the large tome in her lap.
"Mrs. Weasley said you got sick." Harry stated moving broken peaces off the board. "How did that happen?"
Marking her place Hermione closed the book and scooted closer to the boys. "I kind of fell asleep outside." She whispered.
Ron looked up astonished. "How the bloody hell did you manage that 'Mione?"
Hermione shrugged again wishing they could stop talking about that. I was lying against Fang and I fell asleep while I was thinking." She responded.
"That's a first." Harry muttered.
"I'm starting to remember what I did and said while I was sick." She said ignoring Harry's comment.
"Like what?" Ron asked interested.
Hermione regretted ever saying that now but it was too late. IthinkIcalledSnapedaddy." She blurted out really fast.
"Pardon?" Harry asked looking at Hermione strangely.
Taking a deep breath Hermione looked at both boys. "I think I called Snape daddy."
"You called that slimy git daddy?" Ron asked incredulously eyes wide with shock.
Hermione opened her mouth to defend but quickly decided not to say anything. Harry stood up and sat by her side placing a comforting arm around her back.
"Ron calm down 'Mione was delirious at the time." Harry said coming to her defense. "She had no idea what she was saying."
Shrugging off Harry's arm Hermione stood up to go. "Think I'm going to go up to bed." She whispered. "See you in the morning."
With that Hermione made her way quickly to the 6th year girl dorm. Taking a quick shower she crawled in bed thinking about only one thing.
Why did it seem right to have called Professor Snape 'daddy' no matter what condition she was in?
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The next morning when Hermione woke up she couldn't ignore that uneasy feeling that lurked inside. Their first potions class was later today being the first time she would be in Snape's presence with everyone there.
Sure she knew that it was imperative that he treated her like he had the past five and half years but she knew she would miss the gentle side.
"Hermione come on." Ron called up the stairs. "I'm hungry!"
"You're always hungry Ron." Hermione heard Harry say.
Hermione shook her head as she pulled her hair back before heading down the stairs where her two friends were waiting impatiently.
"Well finally!" Ron cried out hurrying towards the portrait hole.
Harry and Hermione shared a look stifling a giggle as they followed their red headed friend. "You nervous?" Harry whispered as they walked towards the Great Hall.
Hermione nodded. "I know he can't treat me the way he did over break but its going to be hard you know.
Harry put an arm around her shoulder. "It'll be ok. Did you see how distracted he looked at dinner last night?"
"I've never seen him that distracted." Hermione replied thinking back to last night.
The two ended their conversation as they approached the doors where Ron was standing waiting. Breakfast was a quiet affair do to the fact that most weren't morning people. All too soon it was time to go to Transfigurations, the first class of the day.
As per usual the trio sat in the back silently pulling out their books. "Are they trying to kill us?" Ron muttered darkly. "Transfigurations and Potions in one bloody day."
Hermione sighed in annoyance swatting Ron in the head right before Professor McGonagall stepped into the room.
"Good morning class." She greeted the class in usual stern manner.
There was a chorus of good mornings throughout the room as McGonagall turned and tapped the board with her wand as the instructions appeared.
"Today we will be learning how to conjure butterflies out of air." McGonagall said walking around the room.
Surprisingly Hermione was the last person to accomplish the task making the other kids whisper behind their books. Ignoring the whispers Hermione continued to work diligently on the assignment until the end of class time.
"I would like to have fourteen inches on the properties of this type of transfigurations, due by this Friday."
In a flurry of motion the students gathered their things and escaped the classroom before they could be assigned anything else. The rest of the morning was pretty much the same as the students trudged too and from their morning classes.
"I think the professors are out to get us." Ron grumbled as the three sat down for lunch.
Hermione sat across from Ron and Harry as they piled food onto their plates but oddly she no longer felt hungry. The butterflies in her stomach returned for revenge. Pushing the food on her plate around with her fork she thought about what might happen during the next class.
"Hermione quit playing with your food." Harry cried in exasperation.
Looking up at her bespectacled friend Hermione glared. "You're not my mother Harry Potter."
Across from her Ron shuddered. "You know you looked really Snape-like just now."
Hermione laughed. "Oh Ronald."
Shaking her head she gathered her books up and headed out the doors. "Wait up 'Mione!" Ron called as he and Harry ran to catch up.
"I wonder what kind of torture that slimy…" Ron began to mutter.
Harry knew where this was going and knew it would probably upset Hermione. With a swift jab Harry elbowed Ron in the stomach interrupting his train of thought.
"Oww, Harry what the bloody hell was that for?" Ron asked indignantly rubbing his sore stomach.
Harry just rolled his eyes as they entered the potions classroom ignoring the snickers coming from the Slytherin side of the room. Hermione fidgeted with the sleeves of her robes ducking her head just as the door swung open in its usual manner, the sound reverberating off the walls.
"With my… experience I must… wager that none of you… took the time to do your homework… properly." Professor Snape ground out in a menacing yet bored voice.
Beside her, Ron gulped audibly becoming pale at the thought of what Snape might do to them. Taking a chance Hermione glanced up at the menacing figure looming above them and noticed that his usual mask of indifference was set in place as he glared around at all the students.
This doesn't mean he doesn't care about you! She chided herself mentally averting her eyes back towards the open book on her desk she couldn't help but feel a little hurt. Just going to have to get used to it I guess. She thought gloomily.
"… well what are you dunderheads waiting for? Get moving!" Snape barked bringing Hermione out of her thoughts.
The harshness of his words caused her to jump before she could get herself under control. She could feel him staring at her as she got up to grab the ingredients that she would need for the potion.
Every now and then Hermione would glance up to watch as the potions master made his way around the room checking the cauldrons, praising the Slytherins and criticizing the Gryffindors. When he came to their table Hermione gulped when she felt his intense gaze on her.
Nervously she watched the professor peer into her potion then scooping some up to test the thickness of the substance.
"This is rather weak…Miss Granger…"Snape drawled. "…and here I thought you were the brightest witch of your age."
Hermione lowered her gaze tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. This is just an act She reminded herself.
"Five points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger…we need to set a time for your detention so stay after class."
Ron opened his mouth to protest but once again Harry elbowed him into silence.
"Yes sir." Hermione whispered keeping her gaze on the book in front of her.
At the end of class Hermione sat quietly not daring to look up at the dark man. For several minutes the room lapsed into silence as the Potions Master paced the length of the room wondering what he should say.
"I do hope you know this is an act." Snape said turning to the girl.
"Yes sir." She whispered again.
Snape took a seat across from her, placing a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to look at him.
"Are doing well today?" He asked the malice gone from his voice.
Hermione nodded some of the tension gone from her chest.
"I'm also allowing you to go to Hogsmeade this weekend but I ask you not to wonder off alone." Snape told her.
A small smile appeared on Hermione's face. "Is that all sir?"
Snape nodded curtly watching the girl rise from her seat and exit the room where he could see the shadows of Potter and Weasley in the corridor waiting for their friend.
Hermione smiled at Ron and Harry quietly telling them what Snape had said to her as they walked off towards their next class of the day.
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The week had gone by quickly as the excitement of the upcoming weekend. When Saturday finally arrived all the students third year and above got ready for the trip.
"Ron are you ready?" Harry called through the door.
Hermione stood behind Harry shifting from foot to foot. "What's taking him so long?" She asked impatiently
"I'm here…I'm here." Ron said coming out the door. "Let's get going."
The three made their way to the entrance hall where the students gathered awaiting Mr. Filch to check their permission slips
Once they were cleared Hermione, Ron, and Harry took off for the village. "Where should we go?" Ron asked throwing his arms around his friend's shoulders. "I know lets go to Honeydukes!"
"Didn't we get a load of candy at Christmas Ron?" Harry asked.
Ron looked aghast. "You can't bloody believe that mate."
Harry just rolled his eyes as the trio wandered down the busy main street. "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks." Hermione suggested pulling the two boys in the general direction of the pub.
Sitting in their usual booth in the back the three sat down sipping on their butterbeers slowly savoring the sweet tasting liquid. "So what will we be doing today?" Harry asked absently rubbing at his forehead.
"Harry…" Hermione called looking at her friend with concern. "What is it? Does your scar hurt?" She asked.
Harry shrugged. "I have a feeling something is going to happen." He stated.
As if on cue a high pitched scream filled the air cut off abruptly. Beside her Harry cried out in pain. "He…he's…here." Harry cried out in a shattered whisper.
"What!" Ron cried in a panicked whisper.
"Come on!" Harry said staggering to his feet, pulling his wand from his back pocket.
Hermione was right behind her friend wand in hand as they made their way to the door. Peering out the window they stared in horror seeing the tons of death eaters storming the streets throwing curses every which way.
Ducking out of the door the three made their way down the street stepping over bodies in the way they searched in vain for the professors or any adults at all. Out of the corner of her eye Hermione saw a stunner curse heading right at them. "Watch out she screamed as she pushed her two friends to the ground.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted pointing his wand at the death eater.
A few more curses were exchanged before the trio managed to escape.
"There they are!" A familiar dark voice cried out.
Hermione's head shot up and looked down the alley to find Lucius Malfoy standing there with wand pointed surrounded by other death eaters. "Remember the Dark Lord wants Potter and Granger." Malfoy ordered.
The death eaters advanced on the three teens. With a few well placed curses Ron was unarmed and thrown against the alley wall, while Harry and Hermione were taken into their custody.
"Mission accomplished." Lucius shouted to the others.
The air was filled not only with screams but loud pops as the death eater's disapparated with Hermione and Harry with them.
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"Albus how many?" Minerva asked the headmaster fearfully wringing her hands in her lap.
The headmaster sighed the twinkle in eyes gone. "Four are dead, twelve are wounded. Has everybody been accounted for Filius?" He asked the tiny charms professor.
Said professor fumbled with the parchment in his hands. "All the students are accounted for all except…" His voice trailed off gravely.
"Who Filius?" Minerva asked.
Before the tiny wizard could answer the door swung open forcefully. A very bedraggled Severus stood in the doorway leaning heavily on the doorframe.
"Severus? What happened?" Albus asked worriedly going to the younger man and helping him over to a chair.
"Albus…" He whispered in a broken voice. "He has them…the Dark Lord has them."
"Who does he have, Severus?" Albus coaxed pushing a hot cup of laced tea into the potion master's shaking hands.
"The Dark Lord has Potter and Granger…" He whispered struggling to stay focused.
The others in the room gasped audibly as Severus glared up at the Headmaster who had sat down beside him, wrapping his arms around his shaking body.
"Damn you Albus…" He whispered trailing off.
"Albus…she's gone." He cried softly as he fell into a potion induced sleep in the Headmaster's arms.
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Sorry for another cliffy but I was getting stuck. I hope you liked!